EPL Returns: 5 Best Goals from the 2023/2024 Opening Weekend

The Premier League is back! The 2024/2025 season kicks off tonight with Manchester United taking on Fulham at Old Trafford. With exciting new signings and ambitious title contenders like Arsenal, Manchester United, and Liverpool aiming to dethrone Manchester City, this season promises thrilling football and unforgettable moments.

Before going into the head-to-head fixtures, let’s take a moment to revisit five of the most memorable goals from last season’s opening weekend.

1. Erling Haaland – Manchester City vs Burnley (3-0 Full Time)

Erling Haaland wasted no time in reminding everyone why he’s one of the most lethal strikers in world football. His second goal in Manchester City’s 3-0 win over Burnley was a masterclass in positioning and finishing. After a swift overlap from Kyle Walker, the ball was cut back to Julian Alvarez, who set Haaland up perfectly. The Norwegian striker hammered the ball past the goalkeeper to make it 2-0, before Rodri sealed the win with a third goal.

2. Eddie Nketiah – Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest (2-1 Full Time)

Eddie Nketiah opened his account for the season with a clinical finish, but it was Gabriel Martinelli’s dazzling assist that stole the show. The Brazilian danced past two defenders with ease before delivering a precise pass to Nketiah, who curled the ball into the top corner, leaving the Forest goalkeeper helpless. Arsenal’s win was secured with this moment of brilliance, setting the tone for their title ambitions.

3. Bukayo Saka – Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest (2-1 Full Time)

Bukayo Saka continued his rise as one of the Premier League’s brightest stars with a stunning goal against Nottingham Forest. After a quick pass with Ben White, Saka unleashed a curling left foot strike from outside the box that left the goalkeeper with no chance. The goal highlighted Saka’s technique and composure, helping Arsenal secure all three points.

4. Jarrod Bowen – West Ham vs Bournemouth (1-1 Full Time)

Jarrod Bowen produced a moment of magic in West Ham’s draw against Bournemouth. The Hammers capitalized on a sloppy buildup from Bournemouth, with Pablo Fornals intercepting the ball before Tomas Soucek quickly fed Bowen. From outside the box, Bowen curled a sublime shot into the top corner, giving West Ham the lead. Although the game ended in a draw, Bowen’s goal was undoubtedly the highlight.

5. Emerson Royal – Tottenham vs Brentford (2-2 Full Time)

Emerson Royal capped off Tottenham’s opening match with a sensational strike in their 2-2 draw with Brentford. The goal came after a failed dribble by James Maddison was intercepted, but Royal was quick to react. With one touch, he unleashed a low drive that rocketed past the Brentford goalkeeper, securing a valuable point for Spurs in a thrilling contest.

Upcoming Fixtures: EPL 2024/2025 Opening Weekend

Friday, 16 August 2024
Manchester United vs Fulham – 20:00

Saturday, 17 August 2024
Ipswich Town vs Liverpool – 12:30
Arsenal vs Wolves – 15:00
Everton vs Brighton – 15:00
Newcastle United vs Southampton – 15:00
Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth – 15:00
West Ham vs Aston Villa – 17:30

Sunday, 18 August 2024
Brentford vs Crystal Palace – 14:00
Chelsea vs Manchester City – 16:30

Monday, 19 August 2024
Leicester City vs Tottenham Hotspur – 20:00

What to Expect This Season

As the 2024/2025 Premier League season begins, all eyes will be on the title race. Can Arsenal, Manchester United, or Liverpool dethrone Manchester City? Or will Pep Guardiola’s men continue their dominance?

New Music Friday: August 16th Edition

It’s Friday, and that means it’s time to refresh your playlist with some brand-new sounds from our favorite artists, including Tiwa Savage, BNXN, D’banj, and Joeboy.

Check out the latest tracks released today:

Bnxn- Phenomena:

 BNXN, formerly known as Buju, is back with another hit following the success of his last collaboration with Ruger, which delivered chart-toppers like RMD and Poe

This time, he returns with a masterful fusion of Afro-R&B and Amapiano, creating the perfect soundtrack to get you in your feelings while still moving to the irresistible rhythm.

 It’s the kind of track that strikes the perfect balance between emotional depth and danceable energy.

Tiwa Savage- One Heart (Can Change the World) [From the motion picture “ozi: voice of the Forest”]:

Tiwa Savage, the undisputed queen of Afrobeats, continues to demonstrate why she remains one of Africa’s biggest female artists.

Her latest inspirational single for the motion picture Ozi: Voice of the Forest is a powerful anthem about the impact of one heart changing the world.

 This track marks a significant milestone in her career, further elevating the Afrobeats genre on the global stage.

Joeboy- Zombie:

Joeboy has a knack for crafting infectious love songs that strike an emotional chord while still getting you to move.

 In his latest single, Zombie, he pays tribute to his girl’s beauty and the way her love makes him feel completely captivated, like a “zombie” under her spell.

Dbanj- Peaky blinder:

Long before the rise of stars like Wizkid, Davido, Rema, and Burna Boy, Nigeria’s number one entertainer, the Koko Master himself, D’banj, was setting the stage.

Now considered an Afrobeats legend with nearly two decades in the industry, D’banj returns with Peaky Blinders, a smooth, infectious track that celebrates both his love for his woman and his success.

Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars- Die with a smile:

When two global superstars from different fields collaborate, magic happens, and this time, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars have teamed up to deliver a soothing, unforgettable track.

Their new R&B single is a soulful love song that’s perfect for getting through the weekend, especially if you’ve got someone special by your side.

Lady Gaga’s smooth, composed verses blend effortlessly with a catchy chorus, while Bruno Mars brings his signature charm, making this duet a standout hit.

Timaya- Gladiator (Album):

After 15 years in the Nigerian music industry, Timaya has firmly cemented his place among the nation’s top hitmakers. Now, he’s back with his highly anticipated 8th studio album, Gladiator.

 Each track offers a unique vibe, taking listeners on a journey from start to finish. Ahead of the album’s release, Timaya dropped four lead singles, Get My Money Right, Sweet Us, Dey Your Dey, and In My Head featuring the ever-talented Tiwa Savage, each of which was a certified hit.

 The album also boasts collaborations with heavyweights like Olamide, Phyno, Alpha P, and many more, making Gladiator a standout project in his already legendary career.

Post Malone, Chris Stapleton- California sober

Post Malone, one of the most successful artists globally, is known for his versatility across various music genres, consistently delivering hits in each one.

This time, he’s tapped into his country roots with a new single from his latest album, F-1 trillion.

Teaming up with renowned country singer and guitarist Chris Stapleton, Post delivers a track that showcases his love for blending styles, making this collaboration a standout moment in his evolving musical journey.

Thisizlondon feat Ayra Star & 6lack

London, one of the top new-school producers, has been creating innovative tracks for some of our favorite new-school stars.

His hit-making streak, especially with Rema, shows no signs of slowing down as he continues to push boundaries in the music industry.

For his latest record, London enlisted global Afrobeats sensation Ayra Starr and renowned American singer 6lack, combining their talents to deliver yet another chart-topping masterpiece.

Crayon- Tete:

The Mavin signee crayon known as Captain Hook for a reason is well known for dropping some of the catchiest hooks.

His new single doesn’t say anything less, with the calming instrumental and soothing vocals proclaiming his love for his girl.

Jeriq- King (Album)

Jeriq, an Eastern rapper elevating the trap culture, continues to assert his place in the music scene with his latest album, King.

This project showcases his versatility, blending various vibes beyond just trap to appeal to a broader audience.

 Featuring collaborations with notable artists such as Odumodublvck, Bella Shmurda, Victony, and many others, King is a testament to Jeriq’s evolving artistry and his potential for greatness.

BBN S9 Week 3 Recap:

The housemates had a tough and thrilling week, dealing with numerous challenges and confrontations that kept viewers on the edge of their seats. In the third week of Big Brother Naija season 9, fans stayed glued to their screens as the drama unfolded with more fights, surprises, tasks, and friendship issues. After a difficult Custodian Challenge, Wanni and Handi showed great skill and won, becoming the custodians for the third week.

NDI NNE eviction

In a surprising turn of events, Ndi Nne (Nne and Chinne) were kicked out in the second week, even though the other housemates had chosen them as Heads of the House. This was the first time in BBNaija history that a Head of House was evicted, as they are usually safe from being eliminated.

Nelly and Anita (Nelita) winning head of house

The head of house saw a surprising shift in power as Nelita emerged victorious as this week’s head of house winners earning the highest votes 8 out of 12, they also went on to win the immunity challenge earning them immunity from this week’s eviction show. They also picked Chekas as their HOH guests for the week. This unexpected choice surprised fans as they were close pals with the ACES pair (Sooj and Topher).

Weekly Tasks

Aquafina Task

This week’s task, sponsored by Aquafina, asked the housemates to explore their feelings and show their appreciation for their partners. It was more than just a regular task; it was a chance to celebrate friendships and strengthen their connections. Each pair had to write and give a speech about their time together in the house, highlighting each other’s strengths, qualities, and the support they’ve given one another. Congrats to Chizoba and Onyeka (Chekas) for winning the Aquafina task. Although being sisters their performance showed how important friendship, support, and real connections are, both in life and in the Big Brother house. As the competition heats up, fans are excited to see what new challenges and surprises are coming in this season of BBNaija. Until then, cheers to Chizoba and Onyeka

Travel Beta Task

This week’s TravelBeta task really pushed the housemates to their limits, testing their physical skills as well as their strategy and focus. The task seemed simple: each housemate had to pick up balls and carefully drop them into a specific container. But, as with many challenges in the Big Brother house, it was harder than it looked. The housemates had to deal with obstacles, keep their balance, and make sure each ball landed in the right spot all while racing against the clock. The atmosphere was tense as they focused on their moves, trying to beat their competitors. Team Hotel consisting of Beta, Flourish, and Zinwe emerged victorious in this challenge.

Other Highlights:

Chinwe urges Big Brother to change eviction rules

On Monday, Chinwe told her housemates that she was unhappy with how the eviction process works. She said that the current system makes it hard for housemates to speak their minds fully. She suggested that Biggie change the eviction rules so that housemates could express themselves freely without worrying about getting kicked out or facing retaliation from others.

Chinwe makes a crazy accusation against Nelly

Being accused of theft is a serious matter and can really harm someone’s reputation. Right now, the house is dealing with this tough situation because Chinwe says that Nelly stole a jewelry box. After their workout, Nelly and Kassia were relaxing in the garden when Nelly brought up a problem about a jewelry box. Nelly had found a jewelry box that wasn’t hers among her things and asked the other women who it belonged to. It turned out the box belonged to Chinwe, who quickly accused Nelly of stealing it. Nelly was really angry and called Chinwe “fat ugly girl.” Kassia, who was chatting with Nelly, also mentioned her issue. She had overheard Chizoba talking about her with the Mbadiwe Twins and planned to confront Chizoba to find out why she was mentioned.

Misunderstanding between Fairme David and the Mbadiwe Twins

Nelly explained the misunderstanding between Fairme David and the Mbadiwe Twins. It turned out that what seemed like a serious issue was a poorly made joke. The Mbadiwe Twins thought Fairme David was being too rough when he picked up Chizoba, so they joked about doing something disrespectful to Fairme David’s sisters. This joke upset Fairme David, who said he wouldn’t tolerate anyone speaking badly about his family. There seems to be a lot of confusion and tension right now, with issues between Chinwe and Kassia, as well as Fairme David and the Mbadiwe Twins, being noted.

Fasting mode Activated

For the first time in three weeks, the No Loose Guard kitchen is taking a break. Following this week’s “Health and Wellness” theme, Big Brother has suggested that the housemates cut back on their meals. To do this, they will have limited kitchen access. Big Brother will use specific music to let the housemates know when the kitchen is open or closed. They can use the kitchen twice a day for two hours each time, and if they stay longer, they will lose 10% of their wager. Can they handle this change?

A Game of Truth and Dare

As the night went on, the housemates played a daring game of truth or dare, sharing secrets and pushing boundaries. Onyeka, who had said she wasn’t interested in any of the guys, ended up dancing with Sooj and Michky. The dares got spicier, with Handi revealing she hadn’t had sex in five months, and Mayor Frosh showing his top five sex positions with Onyeka after Rhuthee declined. Ozee, who has a girlfriend outside, was asked who he’d start something with inside the house. He hesitated but finally admitted it would be Onyeka, giving hope to O2 fans. Fairme David named Handi as the person he’s attracted to. In a surprising twist, Wanni dared Handi to say which man she’d like to be with outside the house, and Handi listed Ocee, Tjay, and Kellyrae—who are all taken or married. Some housemates, like Kassia, Kellyrae, and Shaun, chose to watch from the sidelines instead of joining in.

Pool Party

Last night’s pool party in the No Loose Guard house was unforgettable. The housemates fully embraced Health and Wellness week and let loose for a night of fun. The atmosphere was electric, and after the party, they were excited for a wild game of truth or dare. Just when they thought the night couldn’t get any crazier, Big Brother added an unexpected twist. A new fitness routine introduced earlier turned into a surprise punishment. After the pool party, Biggie played a special track that signaled the housemates to rush to the main lounge and do jumping jacks. This was a reaction to their previous lateness for the Lurpak cooking task. Biggie’s voice echoed through the house, reminding them who was in charge. Rumor has it they’re still doing jumping jacks. The combination of a wild party, a tough fitness challenge, and a revealing game made last night memorable. The fun and drama in the ‘No Loose Guard’ house never stops, and we’re excited to see what happens next.